Santana The Mexican-american Rockstar

By Author: Savor LaBanda
Total Articles: 6
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The Mexican – American musician, Carlos Santana initiated fusion of Latin American Music and rock with his band, Santana. He was the leader of the band, Santana and transformed the scene of music through his contributions. He first gained fame in the late 1960s and early 1970s along with his band. He was born in Mexico and learnt to play violin when he was as young as five while he learnt his guitar lessons when he was eight years old. Jorge Santana, younger brother of Carlos Santana was also in the field of music. In fact, he was a professional guitarist. Santana the band featured melodic sound of Carlos. The guitar lines of the music were set against the rhythms of Latin and Africa that features percussion instruments like timbales. This kind of music was not common in rock music.

Rise of the Star

Carlos Santana was born on July 20 in the year 1947. While he was born in Mexico, he moved in early 1960s to San Francisco where he formed the band and titled it Santana Blues Band in the year 1966. The band was later rechristened as Santana. It signed a contract with the famed Columbia Records. The band ...
... became popular over the decades. Their critical acclaim in the year 1990s added to the popularity. The number of successful albums by Santana with his band became famous throughout 1970s and 1980s. Carlos Santana was awarded the honour of Lifetime Achievement Award in the year 2009. Later in the year 2013, he received the Kennedy Center Honors. Interestingly, Santana has won ten Grammy Awards in his lifetime and also as many as three Latin Grammy Awards. The Rolling Stone Magazine enlisted Santana on the 20th position among hundred greatest guitarists.

A true rock star

Santana was known for original fusion of Latin infused rock, salsa, jazz, blues and even African rhythms. The band shot to fame with a huge following on the club scene of San Francisco. The band is remembered for its performance in the year 1969 at Woodstock. This performance led the band to a recording contract with the famous Columbia Records, which was run by the reputed Clive Davis at that time. The first album was cut in the year 1969 by the band. Evil Ways, the top 10 single of the band sold in excess of 4 million copies. The number remained on the Billboard chart for as many as 2 years. Another number, Abraxas was released in the year 1970 and even this scored platinum. Most of the albums by the band won critical acclaim as well as popularity.

Changes in the band

The members of the band Santana changed frequently. This led Santana the band came to be associated with Santana the lead. Eventually, he was the only member who remained of the original three members. Apart from the albums with the band, Santana also recorded with other musicians and performed with many people, including Buddly Miles, the famous drummer, Herbie Hancock, the notable pianist as well as John McLaughlin, the renowned guitarist.

About the author:
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Savor LaBanda is an author of this article who writes about the Carlos Santana who has the ability of powerful music; Santana launched his band of products under the name Santana.

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